Off the top of my head, it was started in the 12th century, and was one of the targets of German bombing during WWII. Exeter has no military strategic position, but it dates back to Roman times, when it was called Isca, so was one of the cultural targets during the war. One of the side chapels was damaged, but has been rebuilt so in keeping with the rest of the cathedral that it blends in beautifully. The cathedral alone is worth a visit to the city, but it's full of historic architecture.

I've been to St. Patrick's and St. John the Divine in New York City but as grand as those are (and St. John the Divine is enormous and breathtaking) those old medieval and Renaissance cathedrals on the European continent look so inviting to visit and are so much more ancient. Just think about all the local, national and world history that's occurred since the foundation for that building was first laid.

Off the top of my head, it was started in the 12th century, and was one of the targets of German bombing during WWII. Exeter has no military strategic position, but it dates back to Roman times, when it was called Isca, so was one of the cultural targets during the war. One of the side chapels was damaged, but has been rebuilt so in keeping with the rest of the cathedral that it blends in beautifully. The cathedral alone is worth a visit to the city, but it's full of historic architecture.

Fun fact: When that clock in Exeter Cathedral was first installed the ropes working the mechanism were greased with animal fat, which attracted a lot of rodents. The problem was so severe that the cathedral not only had cats to catch the rodents, but a cat-sized hole was cut in the wooden door in front of the stairs leading to the mechanism, which can still be seen to this day. This was the inspiration for the nursery rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock. Next time I'm inside the cathedral I'll get a photo of the personalised kitty door.